“Do not become confused, this is as I have chosen it to be. It was I who told Hades to pursue Dirk singly and it was I who revealed the nature of our reality to Dirk to encourage him without reservation,” he says as he lays a hand on Steven’s shoulder.

“I am thankful that you wish to protect me, that you consider my position an injustice. Yet you need only to do what you do now: To distract me from my sorrows and to allow me to release the pressurized steam that builds in my heart.”

He gives his shoulder a squeeze and the corner of his mouth twitches.

“It is because he is my betrothed that I wish this. I know it is hard to imagine.”